Ipswich win first battle of the Blues

Ipswich win first battle of the Blues
Agence France Presse

London, January 10: In-form Ipswich, chasing European qualification on three fronts, took a step nearer their goal with a controversial penalty that gave them a 1-0 win over first division Birmingham City in league cup semi-final first leg meeting at Portman Road.

In yesterday’s match Marcus Stewart converted his 15th goal of the season on the stroke of half-time after Northern Irish international Danny Sonner, on his 29th birthday and who was let go by Ipswich coach George Burley in 1998 for just 70,000 pounds ($100,000) because of an off-the-field incident, was adjudged to have handled a Jim Magilton cross.

Burley, who appeared for Ipswich in two league cup semi-finals without ever making it through to the final although he was a member of the 1978 FA Cup winning side, had to make do without the cup-tied Alun Armstrong, who had played for Middlesbrough earlier in the competition, so James Scowcroft reverted from midfield to partner Stewart up front.

Birmingham, who won the league fixture here last season and seven of their last eight meetings, started brightly with Dele Adebola’s goal bound shot deflected for a corner by Icelandic international Hermann Hreidarsson in just 12 seconds. Peter Ndlovu, recalled from a loan spell at Huddersfied, had fashioned the chance and looked lively for the visitors on his return.

The Zimbabwean should have done better with a 12th-minute chance but lobbed over the bar after Ian Bennett’s long free-kick had deflected into his path.Ipswich’s forays forward were largely kept in check by the visitors, and when Stewart did create an opportunity for Scowcroft with a neat lay-off, Bennett saved the drive from the edge of the area at the second attempt.

Only a brilliant one-handed save by Bennett, at full stretch, prevented the hosts taking the lead eight minutes later as the Birmingham keeper dived to his right to claw a powerful Scowcroft header from a Magilton centre.

Ipswich’s increased pressure paid off a minute before the break as Stewart netted from the penalty spot following what appeared a controversial hand-ball decision against Sonner. Fabian Wilnis galloped down the right flank and whipped the ball across the face of the six-yard box, finding an unmarked Stewart through a melee of players only for the striker to blaze wide with the net gaping.

Ronaldo to testify over World Cup final appearance
Rio de Janeiro:Brazilian striker Ronaldo may shed some light on his mysterious performance in the 1998 World Cup final when he appears before a Congressional Commission tomorrow. Ronaldo will testify to a Lower House Commission investigating the national team’s $400 million 10-year sponsorship deal with sportswear giant Nike. The contract is one of the subjects being discussed in the hearing. It is also investigating allegations that the Brazilian game is riddled with corrupt and unethical practices. Brazilian sports commentators have asked persistent questions about why Ronaldo played against France despite suffering convulsive fits hours before the game.

-- Reuters